The newsletter for the WKU community
November 1, 2022
President's Message: The Importance
of WKU Regional Campuses
Dear Colleagues,

Recently, many of you joined us on our WKU Glasgow campus for a celebration of its 20th anniversary. As we gathered to commemorate two decades at 500 Hilltopper Way, we shared stories illustrating the historical importance of the area to WKU. Our institution traces its origins to Glasgow and the greater Barren County region, with the establishment of the Glasgow Normal School in 1875. While the school eventually relocated to Bowling Green, WKU committed to maintain a strong presence in the region. We take pride in WKU in Glasgow’s continued work to serve as our front door to students in that area.

Similarly, our campuses in Owensboro, Elizabethtown-Ft. Knox and Somerset help expand access and opportunity to residents across our 27-county service region and beyond. For many placebound individuals, these campuses bring a WKU degree within reach.

Our regional campuses also symbolize our commitment to strengthening and elevating communities throughout our Commonwealth. We tailor each degree program offered at these campuses to serve the unique needs of the area’s workforce demands. Through our regional campuses, WKU continues to serve as a beacon for community improvement and growth, logic-based problem solving and hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.

While in Glasgow, I announced a new program that will bring the WKU Experience to even more students. Beginning in fall 2023, The Early College at WKU in Glasgow will provide students from seven area high schools (Allen County-Scottsville; Barren County; Caverna; Glasgow; Hart County; Metcalfe County; and Monroe County) the opportunity to travel to the Glasgow campus during their junior and senior years of high school for half days of college coursework.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Ogden College of Science and Engineering announced that Dr. Matthew Shake will be the next Chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences. Learn More
Provost's Message: Leading the Wellness Revolution
Dear Colleagues:

In the first half of the fall semester, it felt truly remarkable watching students mingling and enjoying the outstanding weather and events on campus. Just recently as I walked up the hill, I heard a student who was speaking on the phone say, “It’s hoppin’ out here.” She is absolutely right--the substantial number of students enjoying our beautiful campus has boosted energy and morale. This student’s excitement reminded me of how important overall health and wellness is for this new generation of students and why it should be a top priority for universities across the nation. Since one indication of a flourishing society is a healthy workforce, and since universities remain prime workforce generators, many people in higher education feel universities must lead the wellness revolution.
Spotlight: Theatre Production
The WKU Department of Theatre & Dance will present The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Nov. 3-6 at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center’s Russell H. Miller Theatre. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3-5 and 2 p.m. Nov. 5-6. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students/seniors (62+) and $12 for children 12 and under.
2022 Homecoming
Jonesville Event
WKU hosted a reception and exhibit opening Thursday at the Kentucky Museum to honor the people, the community and the legacy of Jonesville.
Munday Hall
WKU dedicated Munday Hall on Friday in honor of Margaret E. Munday, the first Black undergraduate student to enroll at the university.
Homecoming Queen
Calleigh Powell (third from left) was crowned 2022 Homecoming queen on Saturday. She was sponsored by Omega Phi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Nu.
WKU Week in Photos
Take a look back at Homecoming events in the WKU Week in Photos by Clinton Lewis, Cristina Betz and Aurelia Spaulding of WKU Communications & Marketing.
WKU, Logan County Schools partner on mathematics project
Dr. Hope Marchionda and Dr. Nick Fortune are co-investigators of Teachers of Mathematics as Pedagogical Designers, an interdisciplinary partnership between mathematics education faculty within the WKU Department of Mathematics, Logan County School District K-3 mathematics teachers, and graduate students from the Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology concentration of the Department of Psychological Sciences’ Master of Science program.
Communication Department, School of Media to merge
The Department of Communication and School of Media in the Potter College of Arts and Letters at WKU plan to merge, pending approval from WKU President Timothy C. Caboni. Both units have discussed a possible merger since the Spring 2021 semester. A committee of faculty members worked throughout Summer 2022 to outline logistical considerations and benefits of a potential merger.
Modern Languages faculty member honored by KWLA
Dr. Ke Peng, Director of the Chinese Flagship Program and Associate Professor of Chinese, has received the 2022 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA). Each year, this award acknowledges a Kentucky world language teacher that has demonstrated long-term achievement and service to the profession.
World's Greatest Studio Tour includes Kentucky Museum
The Kentucky Museum invites you to visit during the World's Greatest Studio Tour, being held Nov. 5 and 6 in Bowling Green and surrounding areas. The World’s Greatest Studio Tour is Southern Kentucky’s most exciting art event. The annual tour is designed to allow the public to meet our area’s leading artists, talk one-on-one, and see exciting new art works.
Planetarium Presentation
At 7 p.m. Monday (Nov. 7), WKU’s Hardin Planetarium will host Astrophotography from Your Driveway, a free, public discussion on the basics of astrophotography and night sky photography, featuring Carlos Rotellar.
Athletics
November
1
Tuesday
Book Launch

Warren County Public Library will host a launch event for She's Gone, the latest book by WKU English professor David Bell, at 6 tonight at The Capitol in downtown Bowling Green. Learn More
November
2
Wednesday
Staff Senate

WKU Staff Senate will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Downing Student Union, room 2081. Learn More
November
2
Wednesday
Hilltopper Basketball

Hilltopper Basketball will host University of Montevallo for an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Diddle Arena. Learn More
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101